Combined cycle boundary layer turbine

ABSTRACT

A two staged fluid propulsion apparatus of the type which utilizes prior art pitched blades combined with solid boundary layer disks supported by a novel rotating tubular flow conduit perforated to allow fluid flow to from the interior of the tube to the exterior surface positioned to outlet into spaces between a plurality of solid disks mounted within a volute case housing containing a singular fluid outlet and in communication with a plurality of fluid inlet ports.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus used to communicate motive force between a plurality of rotating disks and a fluid, or conversely, may also be used to communicate motive force from a flowing fluid to a plurality of rotating disks.

2. History of Related Art

Taught first by Nikola Tesla in U.S. Pat. No. 1,061,142, (Tesla) and U.S. Pat. No. 1,061,206 (Tesla), disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In both disclosures the rotor (runner) comprises a stack of flat circular discs with spoke opening in the central portions, with the disk being set slight apart. In the propulsion embodiment, fluid enters the system at the center of the rotating discs and is transferred by means of viscous drag to the periphery where it is discharged tangentially. In the turbine embodiment, fluid enters the system tangentially at the periphery and leaves it at the center. As taught by Tesla, the use of a boundary layer (adherence and viscosity), to communicate motive force on a plurality of rotating disks improves upon the art of propulsion. Tesla teaches “It may be also be pointed out that such a pump can be made without openings and spokes in a runner by using one or more solid disks each in it's own casing to form a machine will be eminently adapted for sewage, dredging and the like, when the water is charged with foreign bodies and spokes and vanes especially objectionable”. Tesla also teaches “Besides, the employment of the usual devices for imparting to, or deriving energy from a fluid, such as positions, paddles, vanes and blades, necessary introduce numerous defects and limitations and adds to the complication, cost of production and maintenance of the machine”. Prior art has employed pin attachments, channels, and spokes to obtain a rotor design with an open center. It is considered that this arrangement of spokes, pins, channels is not desirable in propulsion or turbine for the following reasons:

-   -   (a) Pin attachments used to retain and space the plurality of         rotor disks travel a perpendicular path in relation to the         spiral path of the fluid flow to cause a disrupted flow pattern         and generate a turbulent interference pattern to disrupt the         desirable laminar flow that provides an optimal boundary layer         effect for maximum uniform cohesion of the fluid to the disk(s).     -   (b) A disk rotor supported in a cantilever fashion to allow an         open end for fluid passage through an open center provides a         radius of rotation causing vibration in the fluid and disk rotor         increasing boundary layer disruption.     -   (c) Spokes are used to attach disks to a rotating axle provide         unequal mass distribution of the disks which under high speed         rotation result in stress causing deformation of the disk         surface, and vibration known to cause disruption of the boundary         layer viscous flow and possible disk failure.

Tesla teaches that the highest economy is obtained when for any given speed the slip should be as small as possible. As the boundary layer effect is enhanced by viscous flow reducing slip, therefore, turbulent flow reduces viscous flow increasing slip.

It is these issues that have brought about the present invention. This instant invention eliminates spokes, pins, rods, sleeves, spacers, and star washers from the propulsion systems construction. This improvement simplifies construction, reduces weight, improves structural integrity of the boundary layer disk, reduced vibration and disruption of the boundary layer providing the full surface of the boundary layer disk for propulsion through improved cohesion brought about by reduced disk vibration, resulting in a higher efficiency of in fluid propulsion process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the instant invention, there is provided a novel employment in boundary layer turbine design as that depicted in prior art references, this novel approach utilizes impeller blades as well as bladeless disk to obtain a even flow distribution across the boundary layer disks, and the use of a plurality of solid disk contained within a common housing supplied by two opposing inlets and one outlet port. Prior art has shown that boundary layer viscous flow can be used to impart motion to a fluid with a plurality spaced apart disks in rotation by mechanical means. It is also known that pitched turbine blades also, impart motion to a fluid in contact with the blades to a degree of efficiency. It is also known that a fluid with resonates flowing through spherical shaped ports positioned closely together create a interference wave that cancels out a degree of vibration. The invention being described utilizes these mechanical effects to propel fluid and overcome vibration found in prior art designs utilizing devices of similar design and shall be described as follows:

The present invention is a combined cycle propulsion apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) a first and second inlet confined spaces housings, a third         confined space volute case housing.     -   (b) a plurality of solid rotating shafts supported by bearings         fixed to in communication with a third rotating tubular flow         conduit shaft within the third confined space.     -   (c) a plurality of impeller blades affixed to the ends of the         plurality of drive shafts and attached to and in communication         with the open ends of the third main tubular flow conduit in         providing rotation to and fluid compression within the interior         of the third main flow conduit shaft.     -   (d) a plurality of spaced solid disks contained within said         volute case housing, and mounted around a third main tubular         flow conduit rotating shaft in communication with the plurality         of inlets and singular outlet openings.     -   (e) a plurality of manifold ports arranged circumferentially         about the diameter of third main flow conduit rotating shaft         spaced evenly between the plurality of flow generating boundary         layer disks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section of the embodiment of combined cycle propulsion apparatus

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the central portion of the tubular flow conduit armature.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section view of one end of the tubular flow conduit armature, showing one solid drive shaft fixed to one impeller blade the is also fixed at the end of each impeller to the interior of the tubular flow conduit armature with manifold of flow ports in communication the fluid flow generating boundary layer disks.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional of the combined cycle turbines housing showing even air flow distribution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which assist in illustrating the pertinent features thereof. The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 a vertical cross section of the embodiment of combined cycle propulsion apparatus comprises of the propulsion of a inlet fluid (8 a, 8 b) through plurality of inlets (5 a,5 b), in communication with volute casing (7), to a plurality of tubular conduit inlet openings (6 a,6 b), This flow of the fluid is promoted by a plurality set of pitched impeller blades (4 a, 4 b) that imparts motive force to inlet fluid (8 a, 8 b) by the applied rotation of a plurality set of pitched impeller blades (4 a, 4 b) coupled to a plurality of drive shafts (2 a, 2 b) mechanical means supplied electric motor (10) that is coupled to a plurality of drive shafts (2 a, 2 b) in more or less free rotation around axis (C-C) and supported for rotation by bearings (9 a, 9 b), and also coupled to a tubular flow conduit (3). As inlet fluid (8 a, 8 b) is propelled from the inlet openings (6 a,6 b) into tubular conduit armature (3) under pressure generated by a plurality set of pitched impeller blades (4 a, 4 b) at rotational speeds, fluid pressure occurs within the interior of the tubular flow conduit (3) forcing fluid to flow through a plurality of manifold ports (12) located in the spaces between the plurality of boundary layer disks (1) mounted to the exterior circumference of the tubular flow conduit armature (3). As fluid flow is forced by the impeller blades (4 a, 4 b) into the spaces between boundary layer disks (1) a frequency is expected to be imparted to the flowing fluid (13) by a plurality set of pitched impeller blades (4 a, 4 b), and into tubular flow conduit armature (3) it is propelled through a plurality of spherical shaped manifold ports (12), under pressure and frequency that generates a dipole source effect propagated by the proximity of manifold ports (12) from one another to cause a damping of frequency emission being conducted to the boundary layer through flowing fluid (13) and reverberated by the plurality of boundary layer disks (1).

As turbulence is known to be a key factor in the disruption of a boundary layer effect causing slip between the flowing fluid (14) and the plurality of boundary layer disks (1), This reduction of vibratory effects also reduces uneven stresses occurring in the plurality of boundary layer disks (1) known to cause deformation and failure. As rotation the plurality of boundary layer disks (1) around axis (C-C) fluid flow (14) is placed under an increased pressure against the volute casing forcing flow from outlet port (15).

FIG. 2 illustrates a vertical section view of a portion of the tubular flow conduit armature (3), detailing the passage of fluid flow (13) flowing on the interior of the tubular flow conduit armature (3) and fluid flow (14) flowing out of a plurality of manifold ports (12) positioned in the spaces between a plurality of disks (1).

FIG. 3 A vertical cross-section of the interior of one end of tubular flow conduit armature (3), with inlet (6 a), a detail of one embodiment of the fixed blades (4 a) and showing the location and position of attachment to the solid drive shaft (2 a), also indicated is the approximate location of a plurality of manifold ports (12) positioned between boundary layer disks (1).

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional of the end of the combined cycle turbine showing inlet fluid flow (8 a) passage into one inlet (5 a) in communication with go the tubular flow conduit armature (3) through inlet (6 a) propelled by pitched turbine blades (4 a) fixed to solid shaft (2 a) and to the interior of tubular flow conduit armature (3) propels fluid (13) under pressure to flow through a manifold ports (12) arranged around the circumference of tubular flow conduit armature (3).

As the pressurized fluid (14) flows out of manifold ports (12) into the spaces between the plurality of boundary layer disks (1) in a tangential fashion with an increase in pressure developed by the flow generating boundary layer disk (3) propelled fluid (14) is forced against the interior of the volute case housing (7) causing fluid (14) to be propelled out of volute case outlet (15) at pressure and velocity.

The turbine blade propulsion and boundary layer propulsion have been described previously in detail as to structure and the method of using the same and need not to be repeated. 

1. A boundary layer propulsion apparatus for use in transferring a fluid from a first location to a second location which includes: a.a housing assembly that includes first a second vertical disposed, laterally spaced first and second side walls that extends transversely there between to cooperate there with to define a circular confined space, a centrally disposed first opening in said first side walls in communication with said first location, a discharge opening in said end wall that is at a higher elevation than said second opening and is in communication with said second location, and a second opening in said second side wall that is oppositely disposed from said first opening, said housing assembly formed from a rigid material resistant to action by said fluid; said second side wall and end wall at their junction defining a circumferentially extending recess; b.a power driven first solid shaft that has first blunt end and a second conical end fixed with a plurality of impeller blades at the base; c.a idler second solid drive shaft having a first blunt end and a second conical end fixed with a plurality of impeller blades at the base; d.a rotating tubular flow conduit armature with a first and second opening, having a plurality of manifold ports set an evenly spaced around the circumference of said tubular boundary layer flow conduit and fixed at said first opening to said second end of the first solid driven shaft plurality of impeller blades fixed at the tip of each blade to the interior of the said first opening of said tubular boundary layer flow conduit, and also fixed at said tubular boundary layer flow conduit second opening to a said second idler drive shaft impeller blades fixed at the tips of each blade to the interior of the said tubular boundary layer flow conduit second opening, e.a first bearing and seal means supported in a fixed relationship from said first side wall and second bearing and seal means of supported in fixed relationship from said second side wall coaxially aligned with said first and second openings therein, said first and second bearings and seals means rotating supporting said first power driven solid rotating drive shafts at the first end, and said second idler solid drive shaft at the first end latter disposed within said confined space and adjacent the latter; f.a plurality of circular disks having a first and second smooth surface with a first outer circumference and a second inner circumference being fixed to said outer circumference of said tubular flow conduit, and set between a in communication with said plurality of manifold ports, and disposed in said confined space with the periphery of said plurality of disks disposed in said recess, said plurality of disks when rotated causing the circular body of said fluid contained within the said confined space to rotate due to a rotary force exerted on said body of fluid as a boundary layer of said fluid exterior by the surface of said first and second smooth disk in rotation relative to said body of fluid to be sheared wherefrom, with said fluid entering said confined space through said plurality of manifold ports of said flow conduit armature having increased rotary velocity imparted thereto to sequentially move outwardly in a spiral path due to the centrifugal force imposed thereon and be sequentially ejected from said discharge opening to flow to said second location.
 2. A method of propulsion of a fluid from a first location to a second location, said method comprising the steps of: a. defining a first vertical circular confined space at an elevation less than that of said first location; b. defining a second vertical circular confined space adjacent said first confined space, said second confined space having first and second side surfaces that are parallel and laterally spaced from one another; c. defining a rotating tubular flow conduit armature with a first and second opening, having a plurality of manifold ports set an evenly spaced around the circumference of said tubular boundary layer flow conduit and fixed at said first openings to d. defining a plurality of impeller blades fixed at the tip of each blade to the interior of the said first opening of said tubular boundary layer flow conduit, and also fixed at said tubular flow conduit second opening. e. Defining a plurality of boundary layer flow generating disks having a first and second smooth surface with a first outer circumference and a second inner circumference being fixed to said outer circumference of said tubular flow conduit, f. a fluid to flow downwardly by suction from said first location to said first confined space to enter the latter through rotating impellers set in a tubular flow conduit armature set in and in communication with said second confined space, and exiting through a plurality of ports arranged between said plurality of flow generating boundary layer disks into said second confined space. g. discharging said rotation fluid from said first confined space through a centered opening in said first confined space into said tubular flow conduit armature by the force of rotating impellers positioned in a first and second inlet of said tubular flow conduit armature centered opening; h. rotating a said plurality of flow generating boundary layer disks mounted on said tubular flow conduit in said second confined space between said first side wall surface and said second side wall surface at a sufficiently rapid rate as to accelerate the rate of rotation of said fluid entering said second confined space under pressure from said impellers into tubular flow conduit armature and exiting through a said plurality of manifold ports. i. A fluid entering into the second confined space through said tubular flow conduit armature port openings flows into spaces between said boundary layer flow generating disks, to the extent said fluid rotate in said confined space as a circular body fluid due to the centrifugal force imposed thereon by a said disks, tending to move outwardly in a circular body in a spiral path; tangentially discharging said fluid from the outer portion of said second confined space through a diverging passage; (and) j. a solid said boundary layer flow generating disk mounted to said tubular flow conduit provides continuous axial support for said disks providing even mass distribution minimizing said disk distortion under high centrifugal force, to improve even boundary layer cohesion between said fluid and said disks; k. a providing solid smooth surface of the said boundary layer flow generating disks, and a open unobstructed space between said boundary layer flow generating disks, for the passage of said body of fluid within said second confined space to minimize turbulence and maintain boundary layer cohesion. 